The iQOO Neo9 Pro boasts a sleek design with a 6.78″ 8T LTPO AMOLED display that offers a stunning 3,000 nits peak brightness and a 144Hz refresh rate. The front features a punch-hole 16MP selfie camera and an in-display fingerprint scanner that’s both fast and accurate. However, its placement could be more convenient.
The back of the phone showcases a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide camera, accompanied by an LED flash. Available in Fiery Red and Conqueror Black, the review unit we tested was the red version, featuring a dual-tone vegan leather back. While this design is attractive and smudge-resistant, it doesn’t quite match the premium feel of some competitors’ finishes.
Despite its flat frames, the slightly curved edges make the Neo9 Pro comfortable to hold. The lightweight build ensures ease of use for extended periods. However, the protruding camera setup can cause the phone to wobble on flat surfaces, posing a potential risk if placed near edges.
Key Design Features:
- Display: 6.78″ 8T LTPO AMOLED, 3,000 nits peak brightness, 144Hz refresh rate
- Selfie Camera: 16MP punch-hole
- Fingerprint Scanner: In-display, fast and accurate
- Rear Cameras: 50MP primary, 8MP ultrawide
- Colors: Fiery Red (vegan leather), Conqueror Black (Fluorite AG Glass)
- Build: Flat frames, slightly curved back edges, lightweight
iQOO Neo9 Pro Display Quality
The 6.78″ AMOLED display on the iQOO Neo9 Pro supports a resolution of 2,800×1,260 pixels with a 452 ppi pixel density. It offers vivid colors and high brightness levels, making it easy to use even under direct sunlight. The screen supports various refresh rates, adapting from 1Hz to 144Hz depending on the activity, although the highest refresh rate is reserved for gaming.
Display Highlights:
- Resolution: 2,800×1,260 pixels, 452 ppi
- Brightness: 3,000 nits peak
- Color Support: 1.07 billion colors, HLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Widevine L1
- Refresh Rates: Adaptive, up to 144Hz for gaming
iQOO Neo9 Pro Performance and Software
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, the iQOO Neo9 Pro offers top-notch performance with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Running on Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14, the device handles daily tasks and heavy gaming sessions with ease, remaining cool even during extended use.
Performance Metrics:
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: Up to 12GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: Up to 256GB UFS 4.0
- Operating System: Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14
Benchmark Scores:
- GeekBench 6: 5478 (Multi-core), 12975 (Single-core)
- AnTuTu v10: 1,246,393
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 13,220
iQOO Neo9 Pro Camera Capabilities
The iQOO Neo9 Pro features a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide camera on the back, complemented by a 16MP front camera for selfies. The primary camera captures detailed and vibrant photos in daylight but shows some color inconsistencies. Night photography is decent, with the 50MP mode retaining more detail in shadows compared to the standard mode. The ultrawide camera, while useful, tends to produce softer images with occasional color washout in low light.
Camera Specs:
- Primary Camera: 50MP Sony IMX920, f/1.88, OIS
- Ultrawide Camera: 8MP OmniVision, f/2.2, 119˚ FOV
- Selfie Camera: 16MP Samsung ISOCELL, f/2.45
Camera Performance:
- Daylight: Good detail, minor color inconsistencies
- Night: Decent detail retention, softer ultrawide shots
Battery Life and Charging
Equipped with a 5,160 mAh battery, the iQOO Neo9 Pro delivers impressive battery life. In our tests, the phone provided over seven hours of screen-on time with mixed usage. The bundled 120W charger can rapidly charge the device, reaching 50% in 17 minutes and 100% in 38 minutes, making it convenient for users on the go.
Battery and Charging:
- Battery Capacity: 5,160 mAh
- Charging Speed: 120W fast charging, 50% in 17 minutes, 100% in 38 minutes
Geekbench Performance
The iQOO Neo9 Pro, equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, delivers impressive performance in Geekbench benchmarks, showcasing its capabilities against other mid-range smartphones.
GeekBench 6
| Device | Multi-core | Single-core |
|---|---|---|
| vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro | 5478 | (specific score not provided) |
| Poco X6 Pro | 4696 | (specific score not provided) |
| OnePlus 12R | 4451 | (specific score not provided) |
| Poco F5 | 4348 | (specific score not provided) |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 4219 | (specific score not provided) |
| OnePlus Nord 3 | 3296 | (specific score not provided) |
| Motorola Edge 50 Pro | 3083 | (specific score not provided) |
AnTuTu
| Device | Score |
|---|---|
| vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro | 1,246,393 |
| Poco F5 | 931,174 |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 895,434 |
| OnePlus Nord 3 | 844,865 |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G | 683,899 |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G | 523,746 |
3DMark (offscreen)
| Device | Wild Life (1440p) |
|---|---|
| OnePlus 12R | 13,220 |
| vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro | 12,975 |
| Nothing Phone (2) | 8,809 |
| Poco X6 Pro | 8,352 |
| Poco F5 | 7,524 |
| OnePlus Nord 3 | 7,377 |
| Motorola Edge 50 Pro | 5,399 |
Analysis
The Geekbench multi-core score of the iQOO Neo9 Pro stands out among its competitors, indicating strong multi-threaded performance. Its AnTuTu score further reinforces its position as a top contender in the mid-range segment, delivering superior overall performance. In the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark, the iQOO Neo9 Pro performs admirably, making it a solid choice for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks.
Overall, the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s benchmark scores reflect its powerful hardware and efficient performance, making it a noteworthy option in its price segment.
Conclusion
The iQOO Neo9 Pro stands out as a compelling mid-range option in the Indian market. Its robust performance, vibrant display, and impressive battery life, paired with rapid charging, make it a strong contender. While its camera system is not the best in its class, it still delivers satisfactory results. Priced at INR 34,999, the iQOO Neo9 Pro offers great value, particularly for performance-focused users.
Pros:
- Excellent performance
- Bright, high-refresh-rate display
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons:
- Camera performance could be more consistent
- Protruding rear cameras
Overall, the iQOO Neo9 Pro is worth considering if you’re looking for a performance-centric smartphone with a good display and battery life.
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